Convertible bench.



W. W. PUTNAM.

CONVERTIBLE BENCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14. 1915.

Patefited Sept. 12,1916.

4 $HEETSSHEET 1.

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W. W. PUTNAM.

CONVERTIBLE BENCH. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14. I9l5.

Patented Sept. 12, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. W. PUTNAM.

CONVERTIBLE BENCH.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 14. 1915.

1,197,663. Patented Se t; 12,1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

w. w. PUTNAM.

CONVERTIBLE BENCH.

APPLICATION r1120 JUNE 14. 1915.

1,197,663. PatentedSept.12,1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

"UNITED STATES PATENT an on.

CONVERTIBLE BENCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 12, 1916.

Application filed June 14, 1915. Serial No. 33,945.

To all to 7mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, VVILLIAM W. PUTNAM, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Staunton, in the county of Augusta, State of Virginia, have invented new and .useful Improvements in Convertible Benches, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates broadly to benches and more particularly to a convertible piano bench or stool.

The principal object of this invention is to provide a piano bench with constructions permitting the seat or top to be changed from a flat position as used for manual play ing, to an inclined position for use in connection with operating the treadles of the usual player piano. v I

Another object of this invention is the provision of the ordinary flat top piano bench with additional devices capable of being folded, and constructed to be moved to such position as to change the scat portion from horizontal to inclined position, thus adapting the bench for use in manual playing and also for use in operating a player piano.

A further object of this invention is to provide a bench which is readily convertible from a flat top bench into an inclined top and wherein the conversion from one type to the other is accomplished by the opera tion of swinging parts without any sliding or rectilinearly moving elements.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an ordinary piano bench framing, with additional elements hinged to the top framing members in such manneras to be capable of swinging movement from between said framing members to a position upon said framing members, and a swinging top adjustable to be firmly held in position either upon the framing members or upon the swinging elements.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a convertible piano stool or bench wherein the bench is supported in its convertible position upon swinging front and back rails which are locked in position by means of swinging end filler blocks.

A still further object of this invention is the provision of two pairs of sliding contact points to support a swinging top or seat in such manner that in the conversion of the bench from a flat top to an inclined top bench, the top or seat portion slides in one direction on one pair of contact points and slides in the opposite direction upon the other pair of contact points.

A further and primary object of the present invention is an eflicient and economical construction adaptable to convert a fiat piano bench into an inclined bench.

Other and further objects of the present invention will in part be obvious and will in part be pointed out hereinafter by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification.

Like characters are used to represent like parts throughout the several figures of the drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective View showing the top or seat of the bench lifted to disclose certain constructions in the preferred form of my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view with the top removed and showing the adjustable elements in folded position. Fig. 3 is a plan view showing in detail a portion of one end of the benchwith the movable parts in raised or operative position. Fig. A is a detail view showing an elevational section through one end of the bench and is a view substantially corresponding to a section taken on line AA of Fig. 3 looking in the direction of the arrows and showing the top or seat in position on the movable members. Fig. 5 is a detail elevational view showing the top or seat of thebcnch moved from normal flat position to slightly elevated or inclined position wherein only one of the auxiliary rails is operative. Fig. 6 is a view wherein the movements of the top and the back rail are illustrated; this view illustrates the movement in raising the top or seat. Fig. 7 is a detail view illustrating the movement of the top or seat asit is replaced after the auxiliary supporting rails have been lifted to effective or operative position. Fig. 8 is a detail view illustrating the construction of the corner elements of the front rail and one of the end filler blocks. Fig. 9 is a detail view illustrating the operation or movement of the front rail and an end filler block; and which view more completely brings out the utility of the construction shown in Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a view illustrating the adaptability of my invention to a different type of bench wherein the end of the bench is an immovable member and wherein the filler block is displaced by a roclined top bench for use with player pianos; but when it is desirable to play the piano manually, the performer usually prefers a flat top bench of slightly less height than the inclined top bench adaptable for the operation of the player piano. It has been the usual custom in most cases to provide two separate devices; usually a bench in one case and a chair in the other. The inconveniences of the use of two separate benches have been recognized and various types of convertible constructions have been devised, the most common form including various kinds of sliding rods and supports wherein a vertical rectilinear motion is provided. Piano benches are subjected to severe conditions of stress, since it is common for the operator of the player piano to tilt the bench so that it rests only upon the two rear legs. This tilting strains the construction so that rectilinear-1y moving parts as a rule become distorted and operate with great difliculty, and often become entirely inoperative.

The present invention includes a convertible bench embodying constructions of extreme simplicity and great rigidity and wherein there are no rectilinearly moving parts.

It is extremely desirable in a piano bench that the seat or top be rigid relative to the framing of the bench and the present invention includes a construction wherein the top is fixedly braced against movement when in a position of rest upon the supporting members.

More specifically the construction of the present invention includes a rigid supporting frame of substantially the usual form. The supporting frame is provided with swinging rails at both the front and back of the top of the same frame. These swinging rails are foldable within the said frame and movable to vertical position upon the front and back frame members, and when in vertical position thereon may be securely locked by means of devices interposed between the ends of the rails, which preferably comprise filler blocks. The top is securely attached to the main frame by means of long double hinge devices that are constructed to resist endwise motion. This double hinge provides a secure and rigid attachment for the top which has a tendency to pull the top tightly against the rails when the top is in position thereon and weight is applied upon the top.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, the frame comprises the usual four vertical legs 1 which are joined together at their upper ends by members comprising a front rail 2, a rear rail 4, and end rails 5. The bottom of the legs may be joined by the usual bracing members 6 and 7. The construction just described is that of the usual framing of the common type of piano bench. In the present construction the top or seat 8 instead of being fixedly secured to the sup porting frame as is usual, is attached thereto by means of a double pivot hinge which in its preferred form may comprise a U- shaped rod 9 which is of sufficient size and strength to resist distortion when considerable force is applied to the end of the U- shaped member. This U-shaped rod has its ends inturned as at 10, and preferably these inturned ends are secured to the rear rail 4 by means of metal straps 11 which comprise bearings in which the ends 10 rotate. The seat 8 is also preferably secured to the rod 9 by means of similar metal straps '12 which likewise constitute bearings enabling the rod 9 to have a turning movement relative to said seat 8. By referring to Fig. 2 wherein the outline of the seat is indicated in dotted lines, it will be noted that the double pivot hinge construction, including the U-shaped rod 9, which has just been described, posi tions the seat squarely over the top of the framing, and any endwise force on the seat will be strongly resisted by the said rod 9. An auxiliary rear rail 14 is pivoted to the rear frame rail 4 and the axis of the pivots should be beneath the upper edge of the rear rail 4, a distance at least equivalent to the greatest thickness of the auxiliary rail 14 in order that when said auxiliary rail 14 is folded to inoperative position (see Figs. 2 and 6) the uppermost portion of the auxiliary rear rail will be beneath the top or upper edge of the frame. While various types of hinges may be used, I prefer to use a hinge comprising a steel rod having a straight portion with the ends adjacent said straight portion bent to lie in planes at right angles to the axis of the straight portion. One end of this red is positioned in a drill hole adjacent the upper portion of the said auxiliary rail and preferably a small metal strap 15 is positioned over the straight portion of the rod to securely retain the rod in position on the rail. The other end of the rod as at 16 is retained within a small metal strap 17 tha is secured to the back rail 4, and provides a bearing in which the end 16 may turn. This type of hinge is very rigid and is economical of manufacture and assembly. The auxiliary front rail 18 is in a similar manner (see Fig. 2) attached to the front rail 2. Both of the auxiliary rails 14 and 18 may be swung from inoperative position to an operative position directly upon the front and rear rails 2 and 4 respectively (see Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4). In order to prevent the return of the said auxiliary rails to inoperative position and thus prevent collapsing of the bench when adjusted to inclined position, a pair of locking blocks 19 are provided to extend between the ends of the auxiliary rails 14 and 18 respectively. These locking blocks 19 in the form of bench illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, are preferably inclined and constitute filler blocks as well as locking members. Various types of hinges may be provided for the members, but a rigid and economical hinge comprises a U shaped rod 20 (see Fig. 1) which is journaled in metal straps 21 to the end rails 5 and the ends of the said U-shaped rod 20 are driven into drill holes in the under portion of the locking blocks 19. The position of the metal straps 20 should beat a distance below the upper edge of the end rails 5, which is equivalent to the sum of the thicknesses of the respective filler block and an auxiliary rail, in order that the locking blocks may permit the auxiliary rails to fold to an inoperative position beneath the upper edge of the frame. (See Figs. 2 6 and 7.) A pair of felted stops 22 is provided to limit the downward movement of' the locking blocks 19, and preferably these stops are secured to the rear rail 4c.

Referring now especially to Figs. 1, 3, 8 and 9, it will be noted that the forward ends of the locking blocks 19 are provided with upper rounded corners 24 and that the inner portion of the auxiliary rails 1 1 and 18 are provided with curved ends as at 25. The purpose of the round corners 24: is to prevent any catching or binding between the locking blocks and the auxiliary rails as the locking blocks are lifted, and similarly the purpose of the curved member 25 on the inner ends of the auxiliary rails is likewise to prevent any catching or binding between the locking blocks 19 and the said rails since after the parts have been in use there may be a slight warping or displacement of the said parts due to slight changes in the aging of the wood. These curved features are of importance since if the parts should be so displaced as to prevent the raising of the locking blocks, the device would be substantially inoperative, and the curved construction specified prevents occurrence of this possibility.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1, 5, 6 and 7 it will be noted that the upper edge of the rear auxiliary rail 1 1 is provided with felt or leather pads 26 back of the legs of the U-shaped rod 9. It will be noted that as the top is lifted from dotted line position in Fig. 6, to full line position, the rod 9 engages the said pads 26 and lifts the auxiliary rear rail 14:. r The position of the parts in Fig. 1 and also as shown in full line position in Fig. 6, is a stable position in that the center of gravity or center of mass of the top is sufliciently outside or to the rear of the pivot points 11 of the U-shaped rod 9 so that the top will be maintained by gravity in its raised position. This feature is of importance in that when the top is raised it is unnecessary to hold it so and the operators hands are free to lift the locking blocks 19, which in their outward swing automatically raise the auxiliary front rail 18. A pair of slide pivot members 27 are provided on the rear posts or legs and a similar pair of slide pivot members 28 are likewise mounted upon the upper edge of the auxiliary rear rail 14:. Preferably these pivot points 27 and 28 are leather and are provided on top with a small cavity which is filled with graphite to facilitate their function.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 6 and 7, it will be noted that in Fig. 6 as the top or seat 8 is lifted from dotted line position to full line position it slides on the parts 28 a distance substantially equivalent to the space between the points M and N. By referring to Fig. 7 it will be noted that as the seat 8 is returned from open or dotted line position to inclined position that the seat during its return movement pivots and slides on the members 28 and the distance of the slide is substantially equivalent to the space between the points 0 and P. By these two Figs. 6 and 7 it will be noted that during the opening and closing of the top or seat 8 that the pivotal point changes and the seat slides upon one pair of sliding pivotal members in opening and upon another pair in closing.

By reference to Figs. 5, 6 and 7, it is to be noted that three positions of the seat may be secured by this invention. The first position is that with the seat flat as shown in dotted lines in Figs. 5 and 6, the second position being that of an incline at a relative low height, and is the position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 5. The third position is with the seat inclined at a higher position than the previous positions specified and is the position shown in Fig. 7. It is also to be noted that the seat is provided with small felt bumpers or stops 29. These bumpers are arranged to strike directly upon the auxiliary front rail 18 and also upon the front rail 2 of the frame when the auxiliary rails are folded.

In certain types of benches which are known in the art as colonial, the end of the bench extends above the seat. The adaptation of my invention to this type of bench is illustrated in Fig. 10, wherein the top when in normal inclined position occupies the dotted line relation and it will be noted that the end rail 30 extends above the upper edge of the top. In this type of bench the locking devices need not comprise filler blocks and therefore I prefer that a simple metal construction be used to accomplish the locking function.

The preferred construction of the colonial type is illustrated in Fig. 10 and comprises a metal locking rod 31 which is bent at substantially right angles as at 32 and is looped upon itself as at 34- to provide an operating handle which is stopped in its upward swing by a felt block 35, and the front end is preferably bent at right angles and then parallel to the major portion of the rod as at 36. This parallel part 86 forms a rest or stop to retain the front rail in its folded position. The locking rod 31 when in inoperative position is supported by the part 32 resting upon a felt bumper 37. The metal rod 31 is swung to dotted line position in Fig. 2, when it is operative to retain the auxiliary rails ll and 18 in locked relation to be operative to support the seat in inclined position. The loop 3% on the rod 31 also has an additional function in that it enables the workmen in assembling the device to adjsut the effective length of the locking rod 31. The adjustment is accomplished as follows: If the rod is slightly shorter than it should be the loop 3% is spread to make up the deficiency. If the rod is longer than required the spaces between the sides of the loop are slightly decreased by squeezing the spaces together.

Having thus described my invention what I claim is 2- 1. In a device of the class described in combination, a supporting frame, an auxiliary rear rail hinged to said frame, an -auxiliary front rail hinged to said frame, a seat also hinged to said frame, and locking means adapted to retain said auxiliary rails in vertical position upon said frame and fill the spaces between said seat and between said rails.

2. -In a device of the class described in combination, a supporting frame, a seat movably secured to said supporting frame, an auxiliary rear rail, an auxiliary front rail of less width than said auxiliary rear rail, and a pair of locking blocks pivotally secured to said frame beneath the said rails and constructed. to-swing to a vertical position between said rails to lock said rails in verticalposition and whereby the raising of a locking block raises one of said rails.

3. In a device of the class described in combination, a supporting frame, a seat adapted to rest in substantially horizontal position upon said supporting frame, a substantially rectangular hinge rod, means for attaching one portion of said rod in a rotatable relation upon said frame,-means for attaching an opposite portion of said rod in a rotatable relation upon said seat, and auxiliary rails pivoted to said frame and adaptable to support said seat in a predetermined inclined position, one of said rails being above a part of said hinge rod so that the raising of said rod automatically raises said rail.

4:. In a device of the class described in combination, a supporting frame, an auxiliary rear rail pivotally mounted upon said supporting frame, a seat, a long hinge member secured to said frame and pivotally mounted on said seat, said long hinge member extending beneath said auxiliary rear rail in such manner as to raise said auxiliary rail from horizontal to vertical position when said seat is swung upwardly, and antifriction cushion devices upon which a portion of said seat slides when said seat is lifted to lift said rear rail.

5. In a device of the class described in combination, a supporting frame, a pair of anti-friction cushion devices mounted upon said supporting frame, a rear auxiliary rail hinged upon said supporting frame, a pair of anti-friction cushion devices secured to the edge of said auxiliary rear rail, a seat, a hinge member provided with two separate pivots, one of said pivots being adjacent said frame, and the other of said pivots being adjacent said seat, said hinge member being adaptable to secure said seat to said frame and to extend beneath said auxiliary rear rail to lift said rail to vertical position when said hinge member is swung upwardly about the pivot point adjacent the frame, and means for locking said rail in vertical position.

6. In a device of the class described in combination, a supporting frame, a seat mounted above said supporting frame, a double pivot hinge for rotatively securing said seat to said supporting frame, a pair of anti-friction members mounted. upon said supporting frame to guide a portion of said seat as it is swung upwardly, an auxiliary rear rail hinged to said frame and extending across said double pivot hinge so that said auxiliary rail is lifted to vertical position when said seat is swung upwardly, a pair of antifriction members mounted upon the outer edge of said auxiliary rail to guide a portion of said seat as it is returned to occupy an inclined position, an auxiliary front rail, and means for locking said rails in vertical position to support said seat.

7. In a convertible bench of the character specified, a supporting frame, and a seat pivotally secured to said supporting frame, in combination with auxiliary rails hinged to said supporting frame to fold below the upper edge of said supporting frame and to be capable of swinging upward to occupy vertical positions upon said supporting frame, and means for positively locking said auxiliary rails in said vertical position, said means extending between said rails and filling the space between the seat and the frame.

8. In a convertible bench of the character specified, a substantially rectangular sup porting frame, and a seat pivotally secured to said supporting frame, in combination with a pair of auxiliary rails of unequal height, said auxiliary rails being hinged to said supporting frame on the inner side thereof and below the upper edge of said supporting frame to be capable of occupying a substantially horizontal position Within said supporting frame and below the upper edge thereof and to be capable of being swung upwardly to occupy vertical positions upon said supporting frame, and means for positivelylocking said auxiliary rails in said vertical position, said means extending between said rails and filling the space between the seat and the frame.

9. In a device of the class described, in combination, a supporting frame, a removable seat anchored to said supporting frame, oppositely disposed auxiliary rails pivoted to said supporting frame, and locking filler means pivoted to said supporting frame and adapted to lock said rails in operative position, and to substantially fill the space between said rails, said frame and said seat.

WILLIAM W. PUTNAM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

